Napranum Ministerial Champion Grace Grace (right) was on the western Cape on 27 June to attend a ceremony with representatives of Mokwiri Aboriginal Corporation during which 130,000 hectares of land was returned to Traditional Owners. Photo: Supplied.
Napranum Ministerial Champion and Minister for State Development Grace Grace was on western Cape York on 27 June to attend a special ceremony to celebrate 130,000 hectares of land being returned to Tradition Owners.
Minister Grace travelled to Weipa to hand over the title deeds for the land, which was formerly part of the Napranum Deed of Grant in Trust lands located to the north of Weipa, to Mokwiri Aboriginal Corporation (MAC).
The transfer means MAC holds the land as inalienable freehold, which will ensure that it cannot be bought, sold or mortgaged, and will be held in perpetuity for the benefit of First Nations people connected to it.
The ceremony in Weipa was the culmination of eight years of negotiations between Traditional Owners, the Department of Resources, and local communities.
Minister Grace described the ceremony as “humbling” and added the transfer of title meant Traditional Owners would be able to continue longstanding practices.
“We are fortunate in Queensland to be home to two of the longest, continuing cultures in history, in the Aboriginal cultures and Torres Strait Islander cultures,” she said.
“Today’s ceremony was a truly humbling experience, and it was a privilege to be able to hand over the title deeds to the Mokwiri Aboriginal Corporation.
“It will allow the traditional custodians of these lands to continue their traditional practices and customs, and to benefit future generations.”
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said it was hoped the land transfer would deliver new opportunities for Traditional Owners.
“Today’s ceremony supports our communities to seize new opportunities and ensure that connections to country, history, stories and customs are passed down to many generations for the future,” she said.
